From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [28 July 1886]

My dear William

We have so enjoyed these beautiful days. Down looked so black & dark green on the 2 first days after we came that I felt quite out of spirits. The garden however is very pretty & we have been sitting out & enjoying every thing. The Parsons & Litches came on Sat. & R. has had his fill of Lawn T. w. Arthur.

I had a prosperous note from G. from L. H. P. They were delighted w. the drive from Cuckfield to L. H. P. They hired carriage & good horses from M^r Nicholls. I enjoy having Gwen. She is such a comfortable baby & very wise, & sits on the floor by the hour amusing herself— George has been long so unwell that I hope he is now taking a turn. I am more convinced than ever of the sweetness & unselfishness of Maud's disposition. It is certainly a great loss in married life to have to give up all intellectual sympathies.

Carry is a nice girl & enjoys things & thought the Green Hill beautiful scenery—

I hope we shall have all Queen Anne S^t here by the end of this week; consisting of At F–, U. Hensleigh– Godfrey, Hope, Miss Gibson & Phy–

I don't know whether I am biassed too much by the Times, but I have certainly got to feel Gladstone shifty & insincere, & keeping back things— I feel much more trust for what Morley says. Gladstone's changes of tone about the Land Bill make me believe that he does not mean to hold to it, in the same way that Lord Spencer & Morley do– We shall have no contest here against the Con. candidate Mr Mills; but I have been doing a little by lending Sir John's excellent address on the subject to the London Univ. Parslow & Lett. seem to feel it rather shocking not to vote Liberal.

I feel Gladstone's conduct about doubting Lord Carnavon's word about his interview w. Parnell very unworthy. Bernard comes today with Pauline, just in time for the hay, which I have sold on the ground to M^r Harries, who is quite willing we sh^d make any use of the field we like. I dare say Parslow has made a very bad bargain for me, at the rate of £2–5 an acre & also giving the feeding afterwards, which however by manuring the field does some good— Arthur Parslow had a slight return of gout after his return; he went to Church yesterday. You must tell me what it has all cost that I may go shares with you— M^rs Sales is come home very much pleased w. her stay & esp. w. Sara's kindness in inviting Mabel— I hear you have the evergreen M^rs Cutting— Yours my two dear ones— | E. D–